EP1849174A1 - Dynamic depressed collector (ddc) - Google Patents

Dynamic depressed collector (ddc)

Info

Publication number
EP1849174A1
EP1849174A1 EP06735362A EP06735362A EP1849174A1 EP 1849174 A1 EP1849174 A1 EP 1849174A1 EP 06735362 A EP06735362 A EP 06735362A EP 06735362 A EP06735362 A EP 06735362A EP 1849174 A1 EP1849174 A1 EP 1849174A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
power
depressed collector
biasing
adjustable
power source
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP06735362A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Michael J. Cascone
John Arthur Lazar, Jr.
John Brinson Overstreet
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Communications and Power Industries LLC
Original Assignee
Communications and Power Industries LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Communications and Power Industries LLC filed Critical Communications and Power Industries LLC
Publication of EP1849174A1 publication Critical patent/EP1849174A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03F—AMPLIFIERS
    • H03F3/00—Amplifiers with only discharge tubes or only semiconductor devices as amplifying elements
    • H03F3/54—Amplifiers using transit-time effect in tubes or semiconductor devices
    • H03F3/58—Amplifiers using transit-time effect in tubes or semiconductor devices using travelling-wave tubes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J23/00—Details of transit-time tubes of the types covered by group H01J25/00
    • H01J23/02—Electrodes; Magnetic control means; Screens
    • H01J23/027—Collectors
    • H01J23/0275—Multistage collectors
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J23/00—Details of transit-time tubes of the types covered by group H01J25/00
    • H01J23/34—Circuit arrangements not adapted to a particular application of the tube and not otherwise provided for
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03F—AMPLIFIERS
    • H03F1/00—Details of amplifiers with only discharge tubes, only semiconductor devices or only unspecified devices as amplifying elements
    • H03F1/30—Modifications of amplifiers to reduce influence of variations of temperature or supply voltage or other physical parameters
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03F—AMPLIFIERS
    • H03F2200/00—Indexing scheme relating to amplifiers
    • H03F2200/15—Indexing scheme relating to amplifiers the supply or bias voltage or current at the drain side of a FET being continuously controlled by a controlling signal

Definitions

  • the invention relates to high power amplifiers, and more particularly, to high power amplifiers having a multi-stage depressed collector (MSDC).
  • MSDC multi-stage depressed collector
  • MSDCs multi-stage depressed collectors
  • electron tubes of high power amplifiers such as a traveling wave tube (TWT), klystron, extended interaction klystron (EIK), inductive output tube (IOT), and a coupled cavity traveling wave tube (CCTWT)
  • TWT traveling wave tube
  • EIK extended interaction klystron
  • IOT inductive output tube
  • CCTWT coupled cavity traveling wave tube
  • This ratio(s) is chosen to work at the maximum power of the device, usually saturation. If the depression voltage is too close to the cathode voltage, electrons will be returned to the body, causing thermal overload and/or spurious signals.
  • FIG. 1 shows schematically a conventional high power amplifier 100 having a cathode 102, an anode 104, and a multi-stage depressed collector consisting of two collector stage electrodes, 106a and 106b.
  • the voltage of first collector stage electrode 106a is kept at about 66% of the cathode potential
  • second (106b) collector stage electrode is kept at about 33% of the cathode potential.
  • one or more elements of a multi-stage depressed collector are dynamically adjusted in voltage based on the operating conditions of the electron tube or power amplifier.
  • a biasing system for an electron tube having at least two collector stages.
  • the biasing system includes at least one adjustable power source for biasing anielectrode of one of the collector stages, and a power controller for driving the adjustable power source.
  • a power amplifier including an electron tube.
  • the power amplifier is provided with an anode, cathode, collector having at least one depressed collector, an adjustable power source connected to the depressed collector and a power controller for driving the adjustable power source to achieve a biasing voltage at the depressed collector.
  • a biasing system for a multi-stage depressed collector including at least a first depressed collector electrode.
  • the biasing system includes a first adjustable power source electrically coupled to the first depressed collector electrode, the first adjustable power source biasing the first depressed collector electrode at a voltage level that is based upon a first control signal
  • the biasing system in accordance with this aspect further includes a power controller providing the first control signal to the first adjustable power source, the first control signal having at least a high power value for high power operation and a low power value for low power operation.
  • a method for biasing at least a first depressed collector electrode of a multi-stage depressed collector of a power amplifier includes determining RF operational power of the power amplifier, and adjustably controlling a first power source coupled to the at least first depressed collector electrode in accordance with the determined RF operational power.
  • a biasing system for at least a first depressed collector electrode of a multi-stage depressed collector, the system including means for determining RF operational power, and means for adjustably controlling a first power source coupled to the at least first depressed collector electrode in accordance with the determined RF operational power.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional high power amplifier having a two-stage MSDC
  • FIG. 2 is a graph plotting body I current as a function of collector electrode voltage V as the rated (or saturated) power curve R of a high power amplifier such as that of FIG.
  • FIG. 3 is a graph showing a second curve L, in addition to the first curve R 3 the second curve L corresponding to operation at lower power for a smaller signal;
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a high power amplifier system in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method of dynamically adjusting power of a high power amplifier in accordance with the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
  • FIG. 2 is a plot showing body I current as a function of collector electrode voltage V as the rated (or saturated) power curve R of a high power amplifier such as that of FIG. 1.
  • the design point O R is typically selected such that body current remains below a maximum safe level Is.
  • the voltage V of a collector electrode is selected consistent with this criterion and in this example is depicted at point V A -
  • FIG. 3 is a graph showing a second curve L, in addition to the first curve R.
  • Curve L corresponds to operation at lower power for a smaller signal.
  • the safe operating point for this curve is O L
  • the collector electrode voltage corresponding thereto is V B .
  • the collector electrode voltage associated with the smaller signal is reduced, realizing a savings in operating cost.
  • the voltage difference V A - VB represents the power savings possible when the collector electrode voltage(s) is shifted based on the RF operating point.
  • FIG. 4 is used.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram which depicting a biasing system 200 for a class of devices 201 which for convenience will be referred to as a high power amplifier, but which is to be understood to entail devices such as a traveling wave tube (TWT), klystron, extended interaction klystron (EIK), and a coupled cavity traveling wave tube (CCTWT), inductive output tube (IOT), and similar devices using what may generally be referred to as an electron tube.
  • TWT traveling wave tube
  • EIK extended interaction klystron
  • CCTWT coupled cavity traveling wave tube
  • IOT inductive output tube
  • a high power amplifier 201 having a cathode 202, anode 204, and a multi-stage depressed collector (MSDC) consisting of three collector electrodes 206a, 206b and 206c (hereinafter may be referred to collectively as collector stages or electrodes 206) is shown.
  • a biasing system 200 including dynamically adjustable power supplies 208a, 208b and 208c (hereinafter may be referred to collectively as power supplies 208) provides biasing for the collector electrodes 206.
  • the power supplies 208 are adjustable, for example through adjustment of associated voltage regulators (not shown) known to those skilled in the art.
  • a power controller 210 which can be an internal digital controller common to most high power amplifiers, provides power level control signals to the dynamically adjustable power supplies 208 in accordance with the operational power level.
  • An RF power measurement is made for this purpose, and a power level detect signal indicative of this measurement is provided to the power controller 210.
  • RF power measurement can be conducted using a standard power meter 212 disposed in the high power amplifier 201, or alternatively, can be obtained from an external signal generated by an uplink system from a downstream (towards the antenna) detector. Typically, this signal is available from an output coupler feeding an RF diode or thermal sensor to create a DC voltage. This voltage can be used as an analog input, or digitally fed to the high power amplifier 201 to enable the dynamic depressed collector functionality.
  • operating the high power amplifier 201 at other than maximum or saturation power can yield several benefits, including energy savings, cooling operating temperatures translating to higher Mean Time Before Failure (MTBF), reduced stress and temperature on the power supply, also translating to higher MTBF, and reduced size due reduced heatsink and fan capacity requirements.
  • MTBF Mean Time Before Failure
  • Power controller 210 can include a look-up table (LUT) 214 containing power level values associated with each power supply 208 for high power operation and for low power operation. In this manner, the voltage levels of the collectors 206 can be moved dynamically based on the RF operating point. Depending on whether high power or low power operation is to be implemented, power controller 210 obtains the appropriate power level value for each of power supplies 208a, 208b and 208c from look-up table 214, and outputs these values to voltage regulators associated with each of the power supplies.
  • An analog translator 216 can be used as necessary, or control can be exclusively digital.
  • LUT 214 would contain entries corresponding to voltage values associated with the intermediate levels as well.
  • power curves such as those of FIGS. 1 and 2 associated with each collector stage of the amplifier are applicable and operational voltages of the collector stage(s) are obtained consistent with these power curves such that safe and efficient operation of the amplifier is realized.
  • the look-up table is populated with values appropriate to the particular amplifier configuration, and depends on whether that configuration contemplates a traveling wave tube (TWT), klystron, extended interaction klystron (EIK), inductive output tube (IOT), coupled cavity traveling wave tube (CCTWT), or the like.
  • TWT traveling wave tube
  • EIK extended interaction klystron
  • IOT inductive output tube
  • CCTWT coupled cavity traveling wave tube
  • FIG. 4 depicts an MSDC having three stages, it will be recognized that the invention is applicable to any number of stages, less than or greater than three.
  • Any depressed collector with at least one stage of depression is a candidate.
  • control of the collector electrode voltages can be performed independently for each collector electrode, or, alternatively, some or all the electrodes can have voltages that are tied together for tandem control.
  • collectors having respective voltages for high RF power operation are decremented equally, for example by 30%, for low RF power operation.
  • one collector voltage is decremented by one percentage, such as 30%, while the other is decremented by another percentage, such as 32%.
  • a 2.25 kW TWT using the traditional voltage ratios for saturation power, in which case:
  • the power savings translates into several benefits for the user. These include energy savings on prime input AC (alternating current) line, translating into operating cost reduction of 30 to fifty 50 percent. They also include cooler operation of tube and therefore higher MTBF (mean time between failure), less stress and temperature on power supply components, again translating into higher MTBF, and reduced size of the high power amplifier as less heatsink and fan capacity is needed.
  • MTBF mean time between failure
  • FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates a process flow for dynamically adjusting power of a high power amplifier such as amplifier 201 to operate based on either high RF power operation or low RF power operation. It will be appreciated that such a process can readily be extended to operation at other, intermediate operational RF power levels.
  • the operational power level is determined.
  • a decision is made as to whether the power is at a high or low level. If at a high level, then electrode bias is adjusted to high at 224. If at low, it is adjusted to low at 226. While only described with reference to a single depressed electrode, it will be appreciated that the process is applicable for more than one electrode, and the adjustment of the multiple electrodes can be made independently or in tandem.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Amplifiers (AREA)
  • Microwave Amplifiers (AREA)

Abstract

A biasing system (200) for use with a multi-stage depressed collector (206) of a high power amplifier includes one or more adjustable power sources (208). A power controller (210) provides control signals to the power sources depending on the operational RF power level. For low power applications, biasing of collector electrodes is reduced such that savings in energy costs are realized, and operational temperature and wear are reduced. The control signals are based on values stored in a look-up table (214). For multiple depressed electrodes, biasing can be controlled in tandem or independently.

Description

DYNAMIC DEPRESSED COLLECTOR (DDC)
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to high power amplifiers, and more particularly, to high power amplifiers having a multi-stage depressed collector (MSDC).
Background of the Invention
Conventional multi-stage depressed collectors (MSDCs) used with electron tubes of high power amplifiers such as a traveling wave tube (TWT), klystron, extended interaction klystron (EIK), inductive output tube (IOT), and a coupled cavity traveling wave tube (CCTWT) use a fixed depression ratio, such as thirty three percent and sixty six percent (33/66). This ratio(s) is chosen to work at the maximum power of the device, usually saturation. If the depression voltage is too close to the cathode voltage, electrons will be returned to the body, causing thermal overload and/or spurious signals. FIG. 1 shows schematically a conventional high power amplifier 100 having a cathode 102, an anode 104, and a multi-stage depressed collector consisting of two collector stage electrodes, 106a and 106b. During normal operation at maximum power (saturation), the voltage of first collector stage electrode 106a is kept at about 66% of the cathode potential, while second (106b) collector stage electrode is kept at about 33% of the cathode potential. These percentages are provided by fixed power sources 108 and 110, and this is implemented irrespective of the power level of operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention, one or more elements of a multi-stage depressed collector (MSDC) are dynamically adjusted in voltage based on the operating conditions of the electron tube or power amplifier. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a biasing system for an electron tube having at least two collector stages. The biasing system includes at least one adjustable power source for biasing anielectrode of one of the collector stages, and a power controller for driving the adjustable power source.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a power amplifier including an electron tube. The power amplifier is provided with an anode, cathode, collector having at least one depressed collector, an adjustable power source connected to the depressed collector and a power controller for driving the adjustable power source to achieve a biasing voltage at the depressed collector.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a biasing system for a multi-stage depressed collector including at least a first depressed collector electrode. The biasing system includes a first adjustable power source electrically coupled to the first depressed collector electrode, the first adjustable power source biasing the first depressed collector electrode at a voltage level that is based upon a first control signal The biasing system in accordance with this aspect further includes a power controller providing the first control signal to the first adjustable power source, the first control signal having at least a high power value for high power operation and a low power value for low power operation.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for biasing at least a first depressed collector electrode of a multi-stage depressed collector of a power amplifier. The method includes determining RF operational power of the power amplifier, and adjustably controlling a first power source coupled to the at least first depressed collector electrode in accordance with the determined RF operational power.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a biasing system for at least a first depressed collector electrode of a multi-stage depressed collector, the system including means for determining RF operational power, and means for adjustably controlling a first power source coupled to the at least first depressed collector electrode in accordance with the determined RF operational power. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
Many advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art with a reading of this specification in conjunction with the attached drawings, wherein like reference numerals are applied to like elements, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional high power amplifier having a two-stage MSDC;
FIG. 2 is a graph plotting body I current as a function of collector electrode voltage V as the rated (or saturated) power curve R of a high power amplifier such as that of FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is a graph showing a second curve L, in addition to the first curve R3 the second curve L corresponding to operation at lower power for a smaller signal;
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a high power amplifier system in accordance with the invention; and
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method of dynamically adjusting power of a high power amplifier in accordance with the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 2 is a plot showing body I current as a function of collector electrode voltage V as the rated (or saturated) power curve R of a high power amplifier such as that of FIG. 1. The design point OR is typically selected such that body current remains below a maximum safe level Is. The voltage V of a collector electrode is selected consistent with this criterion and in this example is depicted at point VA-
The safe operating point changes with RF power because the electron beam velocity spread changes as energy is extracted. FIG. 3 is a graph showing a second curve L, in addition to the first curve R. Curve L corresponds to operation at lower power for a smaller signal. The safe operating point for this curve is OL, and the collector electrode voltage corresponding thereto is VB. While still remaining below the maximum safe level Is, the collector electrode voltage associated with the smaller signal is reduced, realizing a savings in operating cost. In particular, the voltage difference VA - VB represents the power savings possible when the collector electrode voltage(s) is shifted based on the RF operating point. In order to achieve dynamic shifting of operational voltage of one or more collector stage electrodes, an arrangement as shown in FIG. 4 is used. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram which depicting a biasing system 200 for a class of devices 201 which for convenience will be referred to as a high power amplifier, but which is to be understood to entail devices such as a traveling wave tube (TWT), klystron, extended interaction klystron (EIK), and a coupled cavity traveling wave tube (CCTWT), inductive output tube (IOT), and similar devices using what may generally be referred to as an electron tube.
In FIG. 4, a high power amplifier 201 having a cathode 202, anode 204, and a multi-stage depressed collector (MSDC) consisting of three collector electrodes 206a, 206b and 206c (hereinafter may be referred to collectively as collector stages or electrodes 206) is shown. A biasing system 200 including dynamically adjustable power supplies 208a, 208b and 208c (hereinafter may be referred to collectively as power supplies 208) provides biasing for the collector electrodes 206. The power supplies 208 are adjustable, for example through adjustment of associated voltage regulators (not shown) known to those skilled in the art. A power controller 210, which can be an internal digital controller common to most high power amplifiers, provides power level control signals to the dynamically adjustable power supplies 208 in accordance with the operational power level. An RF power measurement is made for this purpose, and a power level detect signal indicative of this measurement is provided to the power controller 210. RF power measurement can be conducted using a standard power meter 212 disposed in the high power amplifier 201, or alternatively, can be obtained from an external signal generated by an uplink system from a downstream (towards the antenna) detector. Typically, this signal is available from an output coupler feeding an RF diode or thermal sensor to create a DC voltage. This voltage can be used as an analog input, or digitally fed to the high power amplifier 201 to enable the dynamic depressed collector functionality.
As further detailed below, operating the high power amplifier 201 at other than maximum or saturation power can yield several benefits, including energy savings, cooling operating temperatures translating to higher Mean Time Before Failure (MTBF), reduced stress and temperature on the power supply, also translating to higher MTBF, and reduced size due reduced heatsink and fan capacity requirements.
Power controller 210 can include a look-up table (LUT) 214 containing power level values associated with each power supply 208 for high power operation and for low power operation. In this manner, the voltage levels of the collectors 206 can be moved dynamically based on the RF operating point. Depending on whether high power or low power operation is to be implemented, power controller 210 obtains the appropriate power level value for each of power supplies 208a, 208b and 208c from look-up table 214, and outputs these values to voltage regulators associated with each of the power supplies. An analog translator 216 can be used as necessary, or control can be exclusively digital. Of course it will be recognized that more than two power levels can be desired, and levels intermediate to the high and low levels are contemplated, in which case LUT 214 would contain entries corresponding to voltage values associated with the intermediate levels as well. In general, power curves such as those of FIGS. 1 and 2 associated with each collector stage of the amplifier are applicable and operational voltages of the collector stage(s) are obtained consistent with these power curves such that safe and efficient operation of the amplifier is realized. It will further be appreciated that the look-up table is populated with values appropriate to the particular amplifier configuration, and depends on whether that configuration contemplates a traveling wave tube (TWT), klystron, extended interaction klystron (EIK), inductive output tube (IOT), coupled cavity traveling wave tube (CCTWT), or the like.
While FIG. 4 depicts an MSDC having three stages, it will be recognized that the invention is applicable to any number of stages, less than or greater than three. Any depressed collector with at least one stage of depression is a candidate. Further, control of the collector electrode voltages can be performed independently for each collector electrode, or, alternatively, some or all the electrodes can have voltages that are tied together for tandem control. In the tandem control case, collectors having respective voltages for high RF power operation are decremented equally, for example by 30%, for low RF power operation. For a non-tandem case, by comparison, one collector voltage is decremented by one percentage, such as 30%, while the other is decremented by another percentage, such as 32%. As an example, consider the case of a 2.25 kW TWT using the traditional voltage ratios for saturation power, in which case:
P0 = output power = 2250W
Vc1 = voltage in collector element 1 = sixty five percent (65%)
Vc2 = voltage in collector element 2 = thirty percent (30%)
By comparison, for small signal range, up to 1200 watts:
Po = output power = 1200 watts
Vc1 = voltage in collector element 1 = sixty five percent (65%)
Vc2 = voltage in collector element 2 = thirteen percent (13%)
Li this case, since Vc i is constant (65%), the savings in power is all in collector 2:
VC2(sat) - Vc2(ssg) = 30 - 13% = 17%, where Vc2(SSg) is voltage at small signal gain.
If all the current went to stage 2, the savings is: 17/30 = 56% saved.
However, since the current goes also to the first stage, it is likely that the savings at small signal will more accurately be around fifty percent (50%). At intermediate points, the saving will be around thirty percent (30%). As mentioned above, the power savings translates into several benefits for the user. These include energy savings on prime input AC (alternating current) line, translating into operating cost reduction of 30 to fifty 50 percent. They also include cooler operation of tube and therefore higher MTBF (mean time between failure), less stress and temperature on power supply components, again translating into higher MTBF, and reduced size of the high power amplifier as less heatsink and fan capacity is needed.
FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates a process flow for dynamically adjusting power of a high power amplifier such as amplifier 201 to operate based on either high RF power operation or low RF power operation. It will be appreciated that such a process can readily be extended to operation at other, intermediate operational RF power levels. At 220, the operational power level is determined. At 222, a decision is made as to whether the power is at a high or low level. If at a high level, then electrode bias is adjusted to high at 224. If at low, it is adjusted to low at 226. While only described with reference to a single depressed electrode, it will be appreciated that the process is applicable for more than one electrode, and the adjustment of the multiple electrodes can be made independently or in tandem.
It will be appreciated that the uses of the system of the invention are not limited to terrestrial communications systems, but extend to those in spacecraft, which also use high power amplifiers that can be controlled in a similar manner.
The above are exemplary modes of carrying out the invention and are not intended to be limiting. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that modifications thereto can be made without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A biasing system for an electron tube having at least two collector stages, the biasing system comprising: at least one adjustable power source for biasing an electrode of one of the collector stages; and a power controller for driving the adjustable power source.
2. The system of Claim 1 , wherein the output of the power controller is a function of RF power in the electron tube.
3. The system of Claim 2, wherein the RF power in the electron tube is determined through measurement.
4. The system of Claim 2, wherein the RF power in the electron tube is indicated by an external signal provided to the power controller.
5. The system of Claim 1 , further including an analog translator for providing appropriate power level inputs to the adjustable power source.
6. The system of Claim 5, wherein the power controller access a look-up table to determine electrode voltage.
7. A power amplifier including an electron tube, comprising: an anode; a cathode; a collector having at least one depressed collector; an adjustable power source connected to the depressed collector; a power controller for driving the adjustable power source to achieve a biasing voltage at the depressed collector.
8. The power amplifier of Claim 7, wherein the biasing voltage is a function of RF power in the power amplifier.
9. The power amplifier of Claim 7, wherein the RF power is determined through measurement.
10. The power amplifier of Claim 7, wherein the RF power i is indicated by an external signal provided to the power controller.
11. The power amplifier of Claim 7, wherein the power controller controls the adjustable power source based on values stored in a look-up table, said stored values including values associated with low power level operation and values associated with high power level operation.
12. The power amplifier of Claim 7, said power amplifier comprising an inductive output tube (IOT).
13. The power amplifier of Claim 7, said power amplifier comprising a traveling wave tube (TWT).
14. The power amplifier of Claim 7, said power amplifier comprising a coupled cavity traveling wave tube (CCTWT).
15. The power amplifier of Claim 7, said power amplifier comprising a klystron.
16. The power amplifier of Claim 7, said power amplifier comprising an extended interaction klystron (EIK).
17. A biasing system for a multi-stage depressed collector including at least a first depressed collector electrode, the biasing system comprising: a first adjustable power source electrically coupled to the first depressed collector electrode, said first adjustable power source biasing the first depressed collector electrode at a voltage level that is based upon a first control signal; and a power controller providing the first control signal to the first adjustable power source, the first control signal having at least a high power value for high power operation and a low power value for low power operation.
18. The system of Claim 17, further including: a second depressed collector electrode; and second adjustable power source electrically coupled to the second depressed collector electrode, said second adjustable power source biasing the second depressed collector electrode at a voltage level that is based upon a second control signal, said power controller providing the second control signal to the second adjustable power source, the second control signal having at least a high power value for high power operation and a low power value for low power operation.
19. The system of Claim 18, wherein the power controller is configured to effect biasing of the first and second depressed collector electrodes in a tandem fashion.
20. The system of Claim 18, wherein the high power and low power values are stored in a look-up table.
21. The system of Claim 17, wherein the power controller switches between the high power and low power values based on measurement.
22. The system of Claim 21, further comprising a power meter for providing said measurement.
23. The system of Claim 17, wherein the power controller switches between the high power and low power values based on an external signal provided thereto.
24. The system of Claim 17, wherein the multi-stage depressed collector is part of a traveling wave tube (TWT).
25. The system of Claim 17, wherein the multi-stage depressed collector is part of an inductive output tube (IOT).
26. The system of Claim 17, wherein the multi-stage depressed collector is part of a coupled cavity traveling wave tube (CCTWT).
27. The system of Claim 17, wherein the multi-stage depressed collector is part of an extended interaction klystron (EIK).
28. The system of Claim 15, wherein the multi-stage depressed collector is part of a klystron.
29. A method for biasing at least a first depressed collector electrode of a multi-stage depressed collector of a power amplifier, the method comprising: detennining RF operational power of the power amplifier; and adjustably controlling a first power source coupled to the at least first depressed collector electrode in accordance with the determined RF operational power.
30. The method of Claim 29, further comprising: adjustably controlling a second power source coupled to a second depressed collector electrode in accordance with the determined RF operational power.
31. The method of Claim 30, wherein adjustably controlling the first and second power sources is effected in tandem.
32. The method of Claim 29, further comprising conducting a look-up operation upon which said adjustably controlling is based.
33. The method of Claim 29, wherein adjustably controlling is conducted digitally.
34. The method of Claim 29, wherein adjustably controlling is conducted through an analog translator.
35. A biasing system for at least a first depressed collector electrode of a multi-stage depressed collector, the system comprising: means for determining RF operational power; and means for adjustably controlling a first power source coupled to the at least first depressed collector electrode in accordance with the determined RF operational power.
36. The system of Claim 35, further comprising: means for adjustably controlling a second power source coupled to a second depressed collector electrode in accordance with the determined RF operational power.
37. The system of Claim 36, wherein said means for adjustably controlling the first and second power sources conducts said adjustments in tandem.
38. The system of Claim 37, further comprising means for storing values associated with power source biasing levels corresponding to high power and low power operation.
EP06735362A 2005-02-18 2006-02-16 Dynamic depressed collector (ddc) Withdrawn EP1849174A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

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US65460105P 2005-02-18 2005-02-18
US11/347,357 US7368874B2 (en) 2005-02-18 2006-02-03 Dynamic depressed collector
PCT/US2006/005667 WO2006089127A1 (en) 2005-02-18 2006-02-16 Dynamic depressed collector (ddc)

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US7888873B2 (en) 2011-02-15
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US7368874B2 (en) 2008-05-06
US20080164816A1 (en) 2008-07-10

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